There could be a home playoff date on the line with NaVorro Bowman's 49ers next meet Sidney Rice's Seahawks. / Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to scheduling, the NFL is flexing its muscle for the first time this season.

The league announced Monday that the Dec. 23 contest between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, which could potentially determine the NFC West title, will move into the Week 16 Sunday Night Football slot on NBC, supplanting the originally slotted San Diego Chargers-New York Jets contest.

The showcase game between hot-button quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick will be the first time prime time contest in Seattle since the infamous "Fail Mary" game in Week 3 precipitated the end of the officials' lockout.

The NFC West rivals have already had one showcase game this season as the Niners outlasted the 'Hawks 13-6 in a Thursday night NFL Network contest Oct. 18.

If Seattle (8-5) beats the Buffalo Bills in Toronto on Sunday and the 49ers (9-3-1) lose on the road to the New England Patriots, a half-game would separate them going into their showdown. Winning the division could be a particular boon to the Seahawks, who are undefeated at CenturyLink Field this season and upset the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 playoffs thanks, in part, to the home game conferred by the NFC West crown despite their 7-9 record.

With the Bolts and Jets on the AFC playoff periphery - and Tim Tebow not in a position to drive ratings - their game has been relegated to a 1 p.m. ET kickoff in New Jersey.

Down the road, the New York Giants' visit to the Baltimore Ravens will become Fox's featured game and will now start at 4:25 p.m. ET.